Assessment of the Prevalence of FGM and Associated Factors among Women’s of Reproductive Age Group in Kebirbeyah Town, Somali Region Eastern Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Background: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is nontherapeutic surgical modification of the female genitalia. It is an ancient traditional practice in majority of African countries including Ethiopia specifically in the eastern part of the country where this study was conducted. Objectives: To assess FGM and its associated factors among women’s of reproductive age group in Kabri-bayah district Somali regional state, Eastern Ethiopia march 2017. Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted among a randomly selected sample of women of reproductive group using an interview-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and a multiple logistic regression were employed to determine independent predictors of female genital mutilation. Results: Three hundred twenty women of reproductive age group participated in the quantitative survey making a response rate of 94.4%. The overall prevalence of FGM was determined to be 279 (87.1%). Nearly half 162 (39.1%) of participants were in the age group of 25-34 with mean age of the respondents to be 28.3 years (Ranges from 15-49, SD-6.16 years, median age-28). In the highest proportion of FGC (66.6%) was found among women with the least education (primary or less schooling). AOR; 3.70; 95% CI (2.01-8.41). Conclusion: The overall prevalence of FGM remains high in the study area with Significant proportions 184 (59.9%) of the respondents undergone FGM at the age of 1-10 years. Recommendation: Lifelong health education should be given for the women and people at large about the consequences of FGM.